Surname Schlageter - Meaning and Origin
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Schlageter: What does the surname Schlageter mean?
The last name Schlageter is of German origin and dates back centuries. It is derived from the German word “schlagen”, which means “to strike” or “to beat”. Originally, it was used as a nickname to denote an individual who was skilled with a sword or an axe, or perhaps used for a blacksmith.
The Schlageter surname is common in Germany and countries where German immigrants settled. It was most prevalent from the 16th to the 18th centuries, but still remains in those areas to this day.
The most famous individual to bear the Schlageter name is Albert Leo Schlageter. He was a World War I veteran and an active member of Freikorps, a paramilitary organization made up of former soldiers of German and Austrian backgrounds. He famously stood up against French forces in the Ruhr region in 1923 and was honored by Adolf Hitler after receiving the death sentence for his disobedient activities.
Schlageter’s name epitomizes the strength, resilience, and loyalty of individuals with the Schlageter ancestry. His brave actions were passionate and defiant, two qualities closely associated with the meaning of the Schlageter surname.
Today, those with the Schlageter last name carry an air of respect and nobility for their dedicated ancestor. Albert Leo Schlageter is celebrated by his descendents and remains an important symbol in German culture to this day.
Order DNA origin analysisSchlageter: Where does the name Schlageter come from?
The last name Schlageter is most commonly found today among descendants of West German immigrants in the United States and Canada. The name is of German origin and is derived from the Old German "schlag," which means "strike" or "attack." In essence, the name is an occupational name for someone who was a striker, a soldier, or a messenger. The last name Schlageter was likely first introduced to these countries by emigrants from the area around the Rhine-Ruhr district of Germany in the mid-19th century. These people left Germany in search of better economic and religious opportunities elsewhere in order to escape difficult living conditions and persecution.
In the United States, the last name Schlageter has been recorded in a number of states, such as Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Iowa. In Canada, the name can be found in both Ontario and Quebec. According to public records, the last name appears most frequently in Pennsylvania, where it has been counted among the top 1,000 most common names over the past 15 years. It is likely that Schlageter descendants in Canada are mostly descended from immigrants who originally settled in the United States and then resettled in Canada.
The earliest known instance of the Schlageter name in North America is in New York City in 1852. Today, it is used as both a given name and a surname. It is a distinctive and recognizable name that is usually associated with German heritage in North America.
Variations of the surname Schlageter
The surname Schlageter is of German and Swiss origin and is derived from the Middle High German word "Slag" which means "fall". This surname can have a variety of spellings and/or variants depending on which region or language it is being spelled in.
Common spellings of Schlageter include Schlegel, Schlager, Schlatter, and Schlatzer. Additionally, variants of the surname may include Schlaegel, Schlaiger, Schlegler, and Schleger.
In Germany and Swiss-German, the surname has also been spelled with a "K" instead of a "G", resulting in spellings of Schlaketer, Schlaktering, and Schlakterer. Additionally, variations of the spelling with a "C" can be seen in the form Schlachterer, Schlachter, Schlachterer, and Schlack.
In southern Germany, the surname is also spelled Schlaekter, and various spellings can be observed in parts of Austria, such as Schlechter, Schlichter, Schleictner, and Schleckner.
Given the migratory nature of German populations, there have been many instances of the surname being adapted to fit different languages, including Slavic languages like Czech and Russian. This can be seen with the surnames Schlagetar and Slageter, which are of Czech origin. Similarly, the Russian variant Schlakhirer is observed in some cases and is related to the German spelling.
In terms of surnames, some of the most popular related surnames include Schlegelmilch, Schlageter Meiler, Schleger, and Schlatzky.
Famous people with the name Schlageter
- Albert Leo Schlageter: He was a German World War I hero and martyr of the anti-Socialist and nationalistic Verband der Vorkämpfer (League of Forerunners). He was imprisoned and ultimately executed on May 26, 1923 for his resistance against the French occupation of the Ruhr Territory.
- Franz Schlageter: He was a German World War I hero and martyr of the anti-Bolshevist and patriotische Freikorps. He was arrested and executed by the French on April 30, 1923, after crossing into the occupied Ruhr district for sabotage.
- Max Schlageter: He was a flight ace of World War I and recipient of the Blue Max of Prussia for his achievements. He served in the Imperial German Air Service, and shot down 15 Allied planes over the Western Front.
- Robert Schlageter: He was an active participant in the resistance against the French occupation of the Rhineland. He was arrested and executed in June 1922 for his involvement in the illegal activities.
- Hugo Schlageter: He was a German World War I hero and recipient of the Iron Cross. He served with distinction in the German army during his military service.
- Ludwig Schlageter: He was an artist who specialized in creating postcards and decorations for churches, most notably the Gothic Revival Church of St. George in Strasbourg, France.
- Heinrich Schlageter: He was a German officer in World War I and recipient of the Iron Cross. He was honored for his bravery on the battlefield and a memorial was dedicated to him in Marburg, Germany.
- Alfred Schlageter: He was a German-speaking Swiss theologian, teacher, and author. He wrote several books on conservative Christian theology.
- Johannes Schlageter: He was a German tailor from Bavaria who emigrated to North America in the 1880s. He entered the US as a stowaway and settled in the South Dakota Territory, where he worked as a tailor and farmer.
- Johann Schlageter: He was a German sculptor who studied at the Academy of applied Arts in Munich. He is best known for his bronze and stone sculptures, which are featured in galleries and public places around Europe.